THE makers of an oral contraceptive pill blamed for the death of an Ellesmere Port woman have spoken about the tragedy.

THE makers of an oral contraceptive pill blamed for the death of an Ellesmere Port woman have spoken about the tragedy.

International drug company Pfizer issued a statement to the Pioneer after 34-year-old Donna Blundell's inquest recorded a verdict of misad-venture.

As we revealed last week, the mother-of-four collapsed at her home in Raby Court, Stanney, on April 1, 2002, three years after she'd undergone a failed sterilisation operation.

She suffered deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and a pulmonary embolism (blood clot) and was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Mrs Blundell was moved to intensive care but found to be brain dead.

She was pronounced dead two days later when doctors turned off her ventilator in the presence of her husband Stephen.

At her inquest, county coroner Nicholas Rheinberg said: 'It is very unusual for a person to die at this age from a pulmonary embolism without there being some strong precipitating factor such as immobility.

'I am satisfied the cause of her death was the oral contraceptive pill.'

Housewife Mrs Blundell had taken the pill from 1988 until she had the sterilisation operation at the hospital on August 19, 1998.

A year later she and her husband -parents to Mark, Natalie, and Stephen - were shocked to find she was pregnant with their fourth child Victoria.

Three weeks after the birth Mrs Blundell went back on Brevinor, a second generation oral contraceptive pill, the inquest was told.

Pfizer spokesman Ray Sutherwood said: 'We are sorry to hear about the tragic death of Mrs Blundell. Our sympathies are with her family and friends.

'Unfortunately, there is an association between the taking of oral contraceptive pills and the development of thromboembolic disease. This, however, needs to be put in perspective.

'Broadly speaking there are three generations of oral contraceptive pills, 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Both the hormone levels and dosages vary accordingly.'

Mr Sutherwood adds: 'Brevinor is a second generation oral contraceptive pill. It is unfortunate that no prescription is 100% safe and every doctor will have to make a risk benefit analysis when prescribing any product.' The Family Planning Association stressed the pill is 'very safe'.

Chief executive Anne Weyman said: 'It is safer than pregnancy when it comes to the risk of blood clots.'

* If you have any concerns about the pill, see your GP or call the FPA's helpline on 0845 310 1334.